Flotation Device

ABSTRACT

A flotation device that includes a plurality of elongated, tubular members each composed of a buoyant material and interconnected to one another such that each extends in parallel relation to the others and are independently movable relative to one another. The tubular members are movable between a fully deployed position wherein each of the tubular members extend in a common plane and a fully transportable position wherein each of the tubular members are arranged in bundled relation to one another. A pair of cords passes through and interconnects each of the plurality of tubular members together, and a carrying strap is connected to the tubes to provide ease of transporting the device.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application relates to and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/806,537, filed Mar. 29, 2013, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates generally to flotation devices, and more particularly to one that suspends the bather at the water line providing a comfortable body-forming flotation device with the purpose of enhancing the beach/pool experience for the user.

The invention also relates generally to underlayment for the user at the beach/pool as well as an underlayment for sleeping bags, and the like.

2. Brief Summary of the Invention

Pool flotation devices are commonly used as a means for relaxing on the water without having to exert the effort of treading water or submersing oneself in the water. Typically, pool floats consist of either an air mattress or some form of floatable material formed in a mattress form suitable for supporting a human body thereon while maintaining buoyancy to remain afloat. Such floatation mattresses provide a comfortable means for a user to relax in the water, but can also be cumbersome to transport and store due to their size and shape.

Another form of recreational floating aids that have become more common are what are colloquially referred to as “noodles”. Noodles comprise a tubular length of flexible foam material that provides buoyancy to a person holding it in a pool or other body of water. The noodle can be wrapped around a person's torso or otherwise manipulated by a person to provide the necessary buoyancy and body positioning for the user. However, a noodle by itself is unsuitable for lying upon due to its size and shape.

It is therefore a principal object and advantage of the present invention to provide a more relaxing, comfortable, fun flotation experience or resting/sunbathing/sleeping experience.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will in part be obvious and in part appear hereinafter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, the present invention provides a flotation device generally comprising a plurality of elongated tubular members, each of which is buoyant, interconnected to one another such that each extends along an axis that is spaced from and parallel to the axes of the other members. A cord or series of cords passes through and interconnects each of the floatation members, extending along an axis/axes that is/are transverse to the longitudinal axis of each of the members.

In another aspect of the invention, the floatation members are adapted to be rolled into a cylindrical configuration to permit ease of transport. The cord or cords can be used to fix the members in the cylindrical form and prevent them from separating during transport.

In another aspect of the invention, certain of the members can be folded upon adjacent members so as to provide a multi-layered structure. For example, a user could arrange one end of the flotation device with several of the members folded back upon several other members, thereby forming, in essence, a pillow, leaving the remaining members in unfolded condition to serve as an underlayment. In addition, instead of folding the members positioned at one end of the device, a user could fold members that are in the middle section of the device, thereby creating a lumbar support.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention formed in a cylindrical structure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention in an unfolded condition;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention formed in a cylindrical structure;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention formed in a cylindrical structure;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of an embodiment of the present invention being transported;

FIG. 6 is a front elevation view of an embodiment of the present invention being transported;

FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of an embodiment of the present invention with several flotation members being moved out of plane with the others;

FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of an embodiment of the present invention with several flotation members being moved out of plane with the others;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention used as an underlayment;

FIG. 10 is perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention formed in a cylindrical structure; and

FIG. 11 is perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention in an unfolded condition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to the drawings, there is seen a flotation device designated generally by reference numeral 10. Flotation device 10 is convertible between a stowed/stored (curled/rolled) position, as shown in FIGS. 1, 4, 5, and 6, to a mat position wherein it extends entirely in one plane, as shown in FIG. 2. In addition, flotation device 10 can be utilized as a sleeping mat, as shown in FIG. 9, wherein a portion of the mat is positioned as a head/neck rest (e.g., like a pillow), or as a mat with a lumbar support, as shown in FIG. 7. The predominant use for flotation device 10, however, is that of a flotation mat on which a person can lie in the water without having to become submerged in the water or tread water to stay afloat.

Flotation device 10 generally comprises a plurality of elongated, tubular members (“noodles”) 12 that are interconnected in parallel relation to one another. A pair of cords 14, 16 pass through each of the noodles 12 in spaced parallel relation to one another for purposes of interconnecting the noodles together, and a third cord 18 can be used to wrap around the rolled noodles 10 and tied to contain the noodles in their stowed position. In addition, cord 18 can include sufficient slack to serve as a handle for ease in transporting flotation device 10, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

In its preferred embodiment, three (3) eight-foot nylon cords 14, 16, and 18 are inserted into each noodle and strategically placed on opposite ends and in the center, stringing noodles 12 (in the preferred embodiment, 30 noodles) together tightly butted against each other while maintaining strength and flexibility of the device. The cords 14 and 16 are inserted approximately 4 inches from each end of the device with the third cord 18 perforating the middle of the foam noodles providing and maintaining the shape and integrity of the device. All three cords 14, 16, and 18, are cinched at the ends via a non-slip knot and also include a loop 20, 22, and 24, respectively, to aid the user in carrying device 10 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. In addition, flotation device 10 can be tied after the noodles have been rolled upon one another for easy transport as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6.

The device 10 is adaptable to the user who can modify it by folding over a few of the end noodles 10 over the next few adjacent noodles to easily form a head and foot support 26 for added comfort and use as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8. Of course, the size of the pillow/foot rest can be as large or as small as desired by folding over more or less noodles.

Thus, the present invention includes a method for converting flotation device 10 into a sleeping mat, comprising the steps of:

providing a plurality of elongated, tubular members 12 each composed of a buoyant material and interconnected to one another such that each extends in parallel relation to the others and are independently movable relative to one another;

positioning each of the plurality of elongated, tubular members 12 in a common plane;

moving at least some of the plurality of elongated, tubular members 12 to overlay others of said plurality of elongated, tubular members 12 such that they are positioned in stacked relation to one another.

In addition, the present invention includes a method for converting a flotation device between deployed and stowed positions, comprising the steps of:

providing a plurality of elongated, tubular members 12 each composed of a buoyant material and interconnected to one another such that each extends in parallel relation to the others and are independently movable relative to one another;

providing at least one cord 14, 16, and/or 18 that interconnects each of the plurality of tubular members 12 together;

providing a carrying strap 14, 16, and/or 18 connected to at least one of the tubular members;

positioning the plurality of elongated, tubular members 12 in a deployed position by arranging each of them in a common plane;

moving the plurality of elongated, tubular members 12 from the deployed position to a stowed position by rolling each of the plurality of elongated, tubular members 12 relative to one another; and fixing the carrying strap to prevent the plurality of elongated, tubular members from unrolling relative to one another. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A flotation device, comprising: a. a plurality of elongated, tubular members each composed of a buoyant material and interconnected to one another such that each extends in parallel relation to the others and are independently movable relative to one another, and are movable between a fully deployed position wherein each of the plurality of tubular members extend in a common plane to a fully transportable position wherein each of the tubular members are arranged in bundled relation to one another; b. at least one cord that interconnects each of the plurality of tubular members together; and c. a carrying strap connected to at least one of the tubular members.
 2. The flotation device according to claim 1, further comprising at least two cords that interconnect each of the plurality of tubular members together.
 3. The flotation device according to claim 1, wherein each of said tubular members defines a hollow cylindrical passage that extends longitudinally therethrough.
 4. The flotation device according to claim 1, wherein said at least one cord passes through each of the plurality of elongated, tubular members.
 5. A method for converting a flotation device to a sleeping mat, comprising the steps of: a. providing a plurality of elongated, tubular members each composed of a buoyant material and interconnected to one another such that each extends in parallel relation to the others and are independently movable relative to one another; b. positioning each of the plurality of elongated, tubular members in a common plane; c. moving at least some of the plurality of elongated, tubular members to overlay others of said plurality of elongated, tubular members such that they are positioned in stacked relation to one another.
 6. A method for converting a flotation device between deployed and stowed positions, comprising the steps of: a. providing a plurality of elongated, tubular members each composed of a buoyant material and interconnected to one another such that each extends in parallel relation to the others and are independently movable relative to one another; b. providing at least one cord that interconnects each of the plurality of tubular members together; c. providing a carrying strap connected to at least one of the tubular members; d. positioning said plurality of elongated, tubular members in a deployed position by arranging each of the plurality of elongated, tubular members in a common plane; e. moving said plurality of elongated, tubular members from said deployed position to a stowed position by rolling each of the said plurality of elongated, tubular members relative to one another; and f. fixing said carrying strap to prevent said plurality of elongated, tubular members from unrolling relative to one another. 